Imaging systems for facial detection, license plate reading, vehicle overview and vehicle make, model, and color detection

Abstract

A system includes a camera defining an optical axis and a field of view defined about the optical axis. An illuminator is mounted offset from the optical axis and directed to illuminate at least a portion of the field of view, wherein the illuminator is operatively connected to the camera to provide illumination during an image capturing exposure of the camera. An image processer is operatively connected to the camera and includes machine readable instructions configured to receive image data representative of an image captured with the camera, perform facial detection to detect at least one face in the image, perform license plate detection to detect at least one license plate in the image, and to provide a vehicle overview image.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A system comprising:
 a camera defining an optical axis and a field of view defined about the optical axis; 
 an illuminator mounted offset from the optical axis and directed to illuminate at least a portion of the field of view, wherein the illuminator is operatively connected to the camera to provide illumination during an image capturing exposure of the camera; and 
 an image processer operatively connected to the camera and including machine readable instructions configured to: 
 receive image data representative of an image captured with the camera, perform facial detection to detect at least one face in the image, perform license plate detection/decoding for at least one license plate in the image, and to provide a vehicle overview image, wherein the illuminator is configured to illuminate at 10° full width at half maximum (FWHM) to illuminate faces inside a vehicle with relatively intense illumination and at the same time illuminate retroreflective license plate of the vehicle with relatively reduced illumination. 
 
     
     
       2. The system as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the machine readable instructions are configured to output facial detection data for use in facial recognition. 
     
     
       3. The system as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the machine readable instructions are configured to perform license plate reading and to output at least one of a license plate number, region, state, country, and/or color of license plate. 
     
     
       4. The system as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the machine readable instructions are configured to identify make, model, color, year and/or type (class) of a vehicle detected in the image. 
     
     
       5. The system as recited in  claim 4 , wherein the machine readable instructions are configured to output vehicle make, model, and color, wherein the model name is localized based on at least one of geography detected in license plate detection and/or geographical location of the camera. 
     
     
       6. The system as recited in  claim 5 , further comprising a global positioning sensor operatively connected to the image processer, wherein the machine readable instructions are configured to output model name based on location data from the global positioning sensor. 
     
     
       7. The system as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the camera includes optics optically coupled to a sensor, wherein the combined optics and sensor are configured to provide at least 5 megapixels of image data at 280 pixels per foot (30.5 cm). 
     
     
       8. The system as recited in  claim 7 , wherein the optics and sensor are configured to provide a field of view angle of 32.5° by 27.5° (width by height) for imaging vehicles at a distance of 15 feet (4.6 meters). 
     
     
       9. The system as recited in  claim 7 , wherein the optics and sensor are configured to provide a field of view angle of 24.5° by 20.5° (width by height) for imaging vehicles at a distance of 20 feet (6.1 meters). 
     
     
       10. The system as recited in  claim 7 , wherein the sensor is configured for sensitivity in at least one of visible and/or near infrared (NIR). 
     
     
       11. The system as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the illuminator is separated from the optical axis by a standoff distance configured to avoid overexposure of retroreflective license plate paint. 
     
     
       12. The system as recited in  claim 11 , wherein the standoff distance is two feet (61 cm) and wherein the optical axis is angled to capture license plate images wherein the license plates are between 15 to 20 feet (4.6 meters to 6.1 meters), inclusive, away from the camera. 
     
     
       13. The system as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the camera and illuminator are configured to properly expose faces through vehicle glass, retroreflective license plates, and vehicle body features all in a single exposure regardless of whether the exposure occurs under noon-day sun or dark night conditions. 
     
     
       14. The system as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the camera is programmed to expose for image capture using an f/1.2 aperture setting, and a 200 microsecond shutter speed day or night. 
     
     
       15. The system as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the camera is a first camera of a plurality of cameras, wherein the illuminator is a first illuminator of a plurality of illuminators, and wherein the image processor is configured to control timing of the cameras and illuminators so the first camera exposes for image capture only under illumination from the first illuminator. 
     
     
       16. The system as recited in  claim 15 , wherein the first camera and the first illuminator are mounted to a main pole positioned to face oncoming traffic. 
     
     
       17. The system as recited in  claim 16 , wherein the plurality of cameras includes three side pole mounted cameras, one on a common side of a lane of the oncoming traffic with the main pole, and two on an opposite side of the lane. 
     
     
       18. The system as recited in  claim 16 , wherein the plurality of cameras includes a rear camera, wherein the plurality of illuminators includes a rear illuminator, and wherein the rear camera and rear illuminator are mounted to a rear pole positioned on an opposite side of a ground loop trigger point from the main pole for imaging rear license plates. 
     
     
       19. The system as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the imaging processor includes a connectivity interface configured to allow remote activation and deactivation of facial detection services, license plate reading services, vehicle overview services, and/or vehicle make, model, and color services without needing to change any camera hardware.